IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


k 


A 


A 


^ 


^ 


1.0 


1.1 


11.25 


Ulli    12.5 

|50     ^^^        ■■■ 

Ui  IJU    |2.2 
12.0 


140 


V2 


/^ 


'/ 


^ 


Photographic 

^Sciences 

Corporation 


^ 


\ 


i\"' 


^ 


s? 


s\ 


<f^ 


^.   '^^ 


U 


«> 


"3  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WIUTM.N.V.  MSIO 

(716)  •73-4S03 


6^ 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historicai  Microreproductions  /  institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  liistoriques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  bast 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


□ 
D 
D 

D 

n 

□ 


n 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pellicul6e 

T-over  title  missing/ 

Le  litre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reii^  avec  d'autres  documents 


~~7    Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 

^    along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 


D 


Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  dune  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  4tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  M  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modi^'ser 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  !a  methods  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 


r~~|    Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag^es 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restauries  et/ou  pelliculdes 


I      I    Pages  damaged/ 

I      I    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 


Q    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d6color6es,  tacheties  ou  piqu^es 

□    Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ditachies 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quality  indgale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppl^r.ientaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  idition  disponible 


r~^  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

I      I  Only  edition  available/ 


D 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  M  film^es  A  nouveau  de  fa9on  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmA  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu*  ci-dessout. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


12X 


16X 


20X 


26X 


30X 


24X 


2IX 


D 

32X 


Th«  copy  filmad  •"•r*  hat  bo«n  raproducad  thanks 
to  tha  ganarotity  of: 

Library  DKiiion 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

Tha  imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  bast  quality 
poaaibia  considaring  tha  condition  and  lagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  apacificatic.is. 


Ciiginal  copiaa  in  printad  papar  covars  ara  filmad 
baginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  iiluatratad  impras- 
aion.  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  capiat  ara  filmad  baginning  on  tha 
firtt  paga  with  a  printad  or  illuttratad  imprat- 
tion.  and  anding  on  tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illiittratad  imprattion. 


Tha  latt  racordad  frama  on  aach  microficha 
thall  contain  tha  symbol  — ^  (moaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  tymbol  V  Imaaning  "END"|. 
whichavar  appliat. 

Mapt,  platat,  charta,  ate,  may  ba  filmad  mt 
diffarant  raduction  ratiot.  Thota  too  larga  to  ba 
antiraly  includad  in  ona  axpoaura  ara  filmad 
baginning  in  th«  uppar  laft  hand  cornar,  iaft  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  at  many  framat  at 
raquiraa.  The  following  diagramt  illuttrata  tha 
mathod: 


L'axamplaira  fllmA  fut  raproduit  grAca  A  la 
gAnAroait*  da: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

Lat  imagat  tuivantaa  ont  AtA  raproduitaa  avac  la 
plut  grand  toin.  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattatA  da  l'axamplaira  filr.A.  at  an 
conformitA  avac  lat  conditiont  du  contrat  da 
filmaga. 

Lat  axamplairaa  originaux  dont  la  couvartura  an 
papiar  att  ImprimAa  tont  filmAt  an  comman9ant 
par  la  pramiar  plat  at  an  tarminant  tolt  par  la 
darnlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'imprattion  ou  d'illuttration.  tolt  par  la  tacond 
plat,  talon  la  cat.  Toua  laa  autraa  axamplairaa 
originaux  tont  filmAt  •*%  commandant  par  la 
pramlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'imprattion  ou  d'illuttration  at  an  tarminant  par 
la  darnlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  talla 
amprainta. 

Un  dat  tymbolat  tuivantt  apparattra  tur  la 
darnlAra  imaga  da  chaqua  microficha.  talon  la 
cat:  la  tymbola  — ^  tignifia  "A  8UIVRE",  la 
tymbola  y  tignifia  "FIN". 

Laa  cartat,  planchat.  tablaaux.  ate.  pauvant  Atra 
filmAt  A  dat  taux  da  rAduction  diffAranta. 
Lortqua  la  document  aat  trap  grand  pour  Atra 
raproduit  an  un  taul  cllchA,  il  aat  filmA  A  partir 
da  I'angia  tupAriaur  gaucha.  da  gaucha  A  droita. 
at  da  haut  an  bat.  an  pranant  la  nombra 
d'imagat  nAcaataira.  Laa  diagrammat  tuivantt 
illuttrant  la  mAthoda. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

a 

a 

4 

1 

e 

•=6^ 


M] 


SPEECH 


'i    o 


OP 


MR.  BEDINGER  OF  VIRGINIA, 


ON  THE 


OREGON   QUEST  ION 


DELIVERED 


IN   THE   HOUSE   OP   REPRESENTATIVES, 


JANUARY    15,    1846. 


WASHINGTON: 

PRIMTBD  AT  THE  UNION  OFFICE. 
1846. 


^rr^i'H 


J  Ml? 


A 


^i  the  resol 

i 

ITlie  House  fc 

li  atate  of  the  1 

'  committee  ai 

Ir.  Chairma 
ke  of  the  qbes 
pnse  interest 
Its  progress  a 

incr  in  whic 
re  already  p 
e  to  approacn 
But  It  is  due 
present,  as  wc 

Smy  vote  u] 
grave  impo 
(ft  >ote  I  shall 
ihail  deem  it 
i^tfully  solic 
hil-^t,  in  as  bri 
ed  to  state  iht 
id  led  my  mil 
rived. 

I  confess,  sir 
i(j  of  exceed  in 
d,  althous^h 
ifn  mind  br  te 
iii  House  an( 
1^  to  it— alth 
isfactory    to 

*  from  bel 
t?e  the  abilit 
(|ers — in   thif 

•  not  led  me 
9Und.     That 

(ny  small  e 
(Wild  not  exc 
llr,  and  wiso 
ife  have  been 
ff  many  an  ai 
fbcasioned  *J] 
It,  luid  are 
Te  linve,  on 
subject  tak< 
Btaie  paper 
ft-eight  of  1 
Jideed  it  sht 
lelsewhcre. 
lined  and  e 
^ble  reason 
liiiimpli  wl 
>niutiiM,ha 
l^rtial  worit 
Ire  fiiunde( 
^hrown  by 
>rted^moi 
lieHrtij,  bot 


SPEECH. 


Hi  the  resolution  giving  Ihe  twelve  months*  notice  for  the  termination  of  the  joint 

!  occupancy  of  the  Oregon  territory. 

: 


lie  House  bein?  in  Comni\ttee  of  the  Whole  on  gallant  spirits,  who  seem  alrenily  to  be  panting 'for 

state  of  the  Union,  Mr.  BEOINGER  addressed  jan  opportunity  to  hurl  the  eauntlat  to  our  haughty 

committee  as  follows:  I  opponent  and  rival,  and  challenge  her  at  once  to 

r.  Chairman  -  The  magnitude  and  great  import-  ,  mortal  combat;  and  1  confess,  sir,  that  when  I  reflect 

of  the  qbestion  at  present  under  discuKsion,  the  I  upon  the    overbearing    and  domineering    spirit  of 


Bnse  interest  manifested  by  the  whole  country 
Its  progress  and  in  its  decision,  and  l\\<.'  very  able 

incr  in  which  it  has  been  treated  by  those  who 
ive  already  participated  in  its  discussion,  cause 
e  to  approacn  it  with  the  greatest  he'iitancy. 
But   It  is  due  to  those  whom  I  have  the  honor  to 
present,  as  well  as  to  myself,  that,  before  record- 

imy  vote  upon  a  question  of  such  magnitude 
grave  importance,  I  should  render  a  reason  for 
%  vote  I  shall  give,  and  for  the  course  of  conduct 
ihail  deem  it  my  duty  to  pursue.  I  therefore  re- 
^tfully  solicit  (he  attention  of  the  committee 
Wist,  in  as  brief  a  manner  as  I  possibly  can,  I  pro- 
ed  to  state  the  causes  which  have  influenced  me, 
id  led  my  mind  to  that  conclusion  at  which  it  has 
rived. 

I  confess,  sir,  that  this  question  has  been  to  me 
i«  of  exceeding  perplexity,  doubt,  and  difliculty; 
d,  although  1  have  succeeded  in  convincing  my 
i^n  mind  as  to  the  course  which  it  is  proper  that 
iil  House  and  this  country  should  pursue  in  re- 
rd  to  it — although  1  have  found  reasons  amply 
(fcftictoiy  to  my  own  judgment,  yet  1  am 
or  hoping  that  I  shall 
good  fortune  to  convince 
at  least— that  my  judgment 
Inot  led  me  into  false  positions  and  untenable 
9Und.  That  this  question  should  appear,  to  one 
my  small  experience,  diflicult  and  perplexing, 
0Uld  not  excite  the  wonder  of  any  person,  h'or 
llr,  and  wiser,  and  more  experiunced  heads  than  | 
He  have  been  much  puzzled  by  its  connideration, 

i many  an  anxious  hour  of  painful  hesitation  has 
casioned  those  who  have  most  carefully  exam- 
it,  luid  are  most  familiar  with  it. 
Te  have,  on  the  one  hand,  the  masterly  view  of 
Kubject  taken  by  the   Executive  in  that  admira- 
Btate  paper,  his  annual  message,  and   doubtless 
h'eight  of  his  opinion  and  recommendation  is, 
Jideed  it  should  be,  very  sensibly  felt  both  here 
lelsewherc.    The  opinion  of  the  Executive  is 
lined  and  strengthened  by  the  beautiful  and  in- 
ible  reasoning  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  who,  by 
liiumpli  which  he  has  achieved  over  the  British 
Sniuti  St,  has  convinced  theworld — the  rational  and 
brtini  world  at  least — that  Iherlaimsof  liis  coun- 
Ire  founded  in  Irutti  and  Justice,  and  cannot  be 
|hrown  by  sophistry  or  fraud.    This  opinion  is 
>rted,,mor«ovcr,  by  many  able  heads  and  palri- 
iewUf  both  here  ond  elsewhere — by  noble  and 


•'  from 

'ie   the  ability 

Hers — in  this 


believing 

or 

hall 


Great  Britain,  1  feel  as  much  disposed  as  any  one 
else  possibly  can,  to  raise  my  voice,  and,  if  need  be, 
my  arm  also,  in  opposition  to  her.  No  man's  heart 
glows  with  fiercer  indignation  than  mine,  when  the 
wrongs  and  aggressions  of  that  relentless  power  arc 
arrayed  before  me.  Nevertheless,  sir,  I  must  be 
allowed  to  express  the  fear  that  it  has  been  with 
others  as  it  was,  at  first,  with  myself — they  have  suf- 
fered their  patriotism  to  obscure  their  judgments, 
and  their  indignation  against  Great  Britain  to  hurry 
them  into  a  line  of  conduct  not  the  most  politic,  and 
not  the  most  wise.  For  myself,  sir,  iiaving  the 
character  at  home,  (and  1  fear  elsewhere  also.)  of 
being  rather  tiot-headed,  I  have  fi-lt  a  little  afraid  of 
surrendering  myself  wholly  to  the  impulses  of  my 
nature  in  thi.s  matter;  and,  exerting  myself  to  the  ut- 
most to  subdue  my  belligerent  spirit,  1  have  suc- 
ceeded in  arriving  at  the  conclusion,  that  although 
Great  Britain  richly  deserves  from  iia  a  thorough 
drubbing,  yet  she  can  afford  to  wait  for  it  a  while, 
(it  will  come  in  time,  sir — it  will  come  in  time,)  and 
we  can  afford  to  post[>one  the  infliction  of  it  at  least 
for  the  present.  And  for  this  reason,  among  others, 
I  do  not  think  it  politic  or  m  ise,  at  thin  viomenl,  to 
throw  down  the  gauntlet  to  her  by  so  suddenly  dis- 
solving the  present  existing  state  of  affairs  between 
her  and  ourselves  in  our  disputed  territory. 

Let  us  look  at  this  question  for  one  moment,  if 
we  can  possibly  do  so,  calmly  and  dispassionately. 
I  know  that  gentlemen  generally  uiic  these  words 
by  way  of  preface  to  the  fiercest  outbursts  and  most 
impassioned  appeals.  But  1  would  respectfilly  beg 
gentlemen  to  calm  themselves,  and  look  carefully  at 
this  question.  First,  then,  1  will  cheerfully  admit 
that  the  man  who  now  doubts  that  our  title  to  the 
wholt  of  Oregfin  is,  as  against  Great  Britain,  "clear 
and  unquestionable,"  must  be  cursed  by  nature 
with  remarkable  stupidity,  or  he  must  be  blinded 
by  ignorance  and  prejudice.  If  any  such  person 
there  be,  I  refer  him  to  the  correspondence  between 
the  Secretary  of  State  and  t'le  British .ministtr.  If 
that  does  not  convince  him,  I  give  him  up  in  de- 
spair. It  would  be  presumption  in  me  to  attempt  to 
satisfy  such  a  judgment.  And  this  is  all,  sir,  that  I 
intend  to  say  upon  this  part  of  the  subject.  Oregon 
is  ouri— every  acre,  every  poor  rood  of  it — and  we 
must  and  mil  have  it.  There  is  another  ftict 
equally  ns  clear  and  unquestionablo  as  the  one 
just  admitted— "an  axiomatic  fact,"  in  the  words  of 
the  gentleman  from  Georgia,  [Mr.  Com,]  and  one 


15  .:in 


aa  little  to  be  questioned  as  the  former — and  that  is' 
that  this  great  territory  is  of  such  immense  value 
and  importance  to  thie  Union,  that  we  would  de- 
serve to  be  regarded  as  idiots  by  the  civilized  world, 
if  we  should  suffer  any  portion  of  it  to  be  wrested 
from  us  by  any  power  upon  earth.  No  Gentle- 
man can  possibly  desire  these  factn  to  be  move 
broadly  and  clearly  admitted  than  I  am  willing 
to  admit  them.  And,  sir,  it  is  for  these  very  reasons 
— on  account  of  these  very  facts,  thus  admitted — 
because  Oregon  is  ours — because  we  should  not  sur- 
render one  pound  of  Oregon  earth,  one  rock,  one 
pc-ble,  one  tree,  or  one  shrub — that  I  cannot,  for 
the  life  of  me,  perceive  the  wisdom  of  terminating, 
thus  abruptly  and  hastily,  the  convention  between 
thio  country  and  Great  Britain  in  regard  to  that  ter- 
ritory. And  if  1  had  any  weight  or  influence  here 
or  elsewhere — if  1  did  not  know  that  Uie  poor  words 
which  shall  escape  my  lips  will  ^all  cold  and  dead 
on  the  unheeding  ears  of  those  around  me,  to  be 
forgotten  even  before  the  echoes  of  my  voice  shall 
have  died  in  this  hall — if  1  were  not  discouraged  by 
this  apprehension,  I  would,  with  all  the  earnestness 
and  all  the  sincerity  of  my  tyature,  call  upon  those 
who  so  zealously  ndvocate  it,  and  implore  them  to 
pause  betorc  pushing  this  policy  to  the  extreme; 
they  jeopardize  or  defeat  the  very  object  they  have 
in  view.  Sir,  how  should  a  grave  and  deliberative 
body,  such  as  this  House  should  be,  act  upon  a 
matter  of  such  vital  importance  i  What  line  of  pol- 
icy should  a  great  nation,  such  as  ours,  pursue  in  a 
crisis  Kuch  as  this  ?    I  beg  that  I  may  not  be  deem- 


ed  presumptuous,   if  1  ilare   to 


what  oc- 


curs  to   wy  poor  judgment  as   the  wisest  course 
we  could  possibly  pursue. 

First,  then,  this  ihijig  should  stop  where  it 
is.  iVot  another  word  should  be  spoken — 
not  another  ftlort  at  compromise  or  negotia- 
tion attempted.  The  negotiiuions  have  ceased, 
they  are  dead,  and  thus  they  should  remain,  never 
again  to  be  revrved.  If  any  proposition  sliould 
hereafter  come  I'lom  Great  liritain — if  she  should 
now  oftcr  to  take  the  4!Uh  deg  — nay,  it'  she  should 
declare  hcrseif  coiitent  to  receive  the  one-half  of 
what  we  formerly  ofiered  her — ihou-rh  we  should 
.not  scout  her  proposition,  yei  we  should  promptly 
reject  it.  Wo  should  say  to  her,  "vvn  ciinnol  agree, 
;vid  Wf  want  no  romprinvii'** .  twcn'v-livc  years  of 
jiegotiatiuii  have  fuiKii;  we  jihiill  iry'(/ia(  no  lunger; 
we  have  dcinonstrnted  our  liile,  and  we  are  deter- 
mined  to  maiutain  u,  hut  we  choose  to  bide  our 
time."  v." hat  next,  sir:  "Masterly  inactivity"  on 
our  part:  No, sir;  no  joiuilivity,  masterly  or  other- 
wiao.  Hut  action,  ac;ioii,  a.nion,  (M(iin|if,  ready, 
energetic,  immediate,  and  continued  action,  on  the 
part  of  this  government.  Iv  ery  possible  induce- 
ment should  be  held  out  to  our  brave  emigrants  to 
go  forth  and  possess  the  land,  whicli  we  should  give 
them  as  an  inheritance.  .\  Territorial  government 
should  lie  formed  thorr,  and  a  governor  appointed 
at  onie.  Where  the  cross  of  St.  George  waves  over 
one  fortification  in  that  territory,  the  stars  and 
Rtripes  should  float  over  lico.  Fort,*  and  block- 
hoiwfs  should  dot  the  whole  of  the  "Oregon  tr.iil;" 
armed  troopK  should  yuard  our  citizens  in  their 
emigrations  ihiihei;  tlie  (lag  of  their  country 
should  float  over  them;  the  counten.ince  of 
their  country  should  lie  upon  them;  the 
arm  of  their  couniry  should  be  stretched  out  to 
proter;  them. and  the  American  eagle  should  fly  be- 
fore them,  heraidine'  them  on  the  rich  lands  of 
Oregon.    They  Bhould  have  no  cause  to  cry  out 


that  their  country  neglects  or  deserts  them.  The 
overland  mail  recommended  by  the  Executive 
should  be  established  at  once.  Every  barrier  whi:h 
might  impede  the  tide  of  emigration  should  be 
broken  down;  every  inducement  which  might  in- 
crease i:  should  be  oflTered.  The  tribes  of  IndianH 
now  disposed  to  l)e  iiostiie  to  us,  should  be  C4nicil- 
iated,and  quieted  by  Indian  agents  who  should  tie 
appointed,  and  who  should  have /iiirses,  which  tliey 
might  use  '.o  some  purpose.  Sir,  it  does  seen;  to 
me,  if  this  policy  were  pursued,  amplified,  and  im- 
proved as  It  might  be  by  the  congregated  wiscom 
of  this  nation,  it  does  seem  to  me  that  all  the  pi  «- 
ers  upon  earth  could  not  rend  from  our  grasp  the 
rich  prize  for  which  we  are  contending.  See,  sir.  if 
I  have  not  some  tolerable  authority  for  the  ccursf!  I 
havereccmmended.  1  find  in  the  Union  of  the  7th 
instant,  a  very  able  article  upon  this  question,  rroni 
which  I  beg  leave  to  read  the  following  extract: 

"The  posture  of  cur  iutfrrttt  in  Oregon  is  an  /icir  4.^'  '.!  i« 
newBiiwct  of  our  title.  Our  citizens  have  now  (fonr,.  miil 
are  i?oin^  icrtli  in  inwiaet,  to  poa«e8.«  themselves  oltlK'i-  liromi 
patrimony  there,  linfore  i:ongresR  rises,  ten  tliousuml 
-Amerirati  citii^.enH,  tilling  the  soil  of  that  territc.v,  will 
stretch  out  thcii  .Aritif  to  us,  for  the  protection  \vl  i.'li  is 
their  most  manifest  right,"'  Uc. 

So  it  seems,  that  before  this  Congress  sliall  rise, 
ten  thousand  hardy  setUers  will  have  estaoli^shed 
themselves  in  Oregon.  When  this  Congress  .  oin- 
menced  its  session  there  were  but  seven  thoj.iand, 
when  it  shall  rise,  there  will  be  ten  thousand.  And  tn.s. 
too,  without  any  positive  guarantee  upon  tlie  part  of 
their  goveinmen*.  of  its  countenance  and  protection. 
Sir,  if  there  shall  tje  ten  thousand  settlers  in  that 
territory  when  Congress  shall  rise,  how  many  i'ii.y 
we  fairly  infer  there  will  he  there  at  the  exfuiation 
of  five,  or  even  three,  brief  years.'  The  cal'An.tmn 
is  easily  made,  sir;  I  beg  gentlemen  to  paaso  u.id 
make  ii.  We  slmll  have  a  sufiicient  numbei  lo  bid 
defiance  to  the  Hudson  Bay  Company  and  all  ii.s 
agent.s;  enougii  o*  theni.^elves  to  maintain  ami  ii«> 
fend  the  wliole  territory;  or,  at  least,  enougii  to 
raise  provisio;)  lo  maintain  any  army  we  rmy 
send  tlic.-e  lo  aid  a;:(l  defend  them.  And  «^n- 
not  j:enllenvjn  wail  ;'ve  short  yeara'  Can  tn'y 
not  wait  tiirier  Can  they  not  even  lurrv  t'il 
ConLTOHH  hIiuII  ri.'^e:  .Sir,  the  territory  wiil  not 
tak(!  tn  itself  v;!ntv'  and  fice  away;  it  will  noi  o*'. 
swallow  d  <ip  in  ihe  Pacific,  nor  be  wholly  de^o.irf-d 
by  the  Briti.ih  lion.  If  we  \A\\  but  "tarry  at  jc.cno 
till  our  Ijeiirds  .slia.l  gro.vout,"  Oregon  Rhuil  beoirs 
when  our  fa  ec  shall  be  covered  with  hair!  Am  i 
to  be  an^-wered  in  ih*,  words  of  the  honorahic  ^en- 
tlem.'in  from  Iivl.una.  ^.Mr.  Ki;nsli)y,|  lia.l  tins 
would  i I',  -sleahrig  the  country;"  that  it  w<K,iil  U: 
"creeping  and  rawliiig  iiJo  the  country,  and  ...'.img 
in  bad  faith."  No  .such  tliina',  sir.  All  this' .should 
be  done  in  the  bro..d  fa  'e  of  heaven  and  the  world. 
We  ha^e  said  to  Great  Britain,  "Oregon  is  ours;" 
and,  we  should  add,  "we  mean  to  maintain  om  litvus 
to  every  portion  of  i'.,  wa  do  not  choose  to  ligii-  f«ir 
it  at  this  moment,  but  we  are  getting  ready,  and  v.e 
mean  to  gel  ready."  Wtiuld  (/m  be  acting  in  k^d 
faiih.' 

Shall  I  again  be  answered,  thiU  unless  this  notice  18 
given  iinmedialely  eniigralion  will  cease;'  That  Great 
Britain  is  csti^lilishing  herself  nioro  and  more  firmly 
every  day,  and  that  in  a  Nhort  time  our  citi/.onfi  will 
be  afraid  to  venti  re  there.'  It  is  too  late  to  urge 
this  objection,  when  they  have  already,  even  wiili- 
outthe  countenan'-.e  and  pr.itection  of  ourgirve-n- 
ment,  poured  on  ui  one  continued  stream  to  that 


ing. 


age; 


fabric,  ai 


tiem.     Tht 
Executi*c 
rrier  whiih 
flhould    be 
1  might  in- 
of  lii(iiuriH 
be   c«»ncil- 
I  Rhould  tw 
whicli  tliey 
es  »f.Kn'.  to 
id,  ant]  : fri- 
ed wiscom 
ill  tlie  pvn- 
<»;riis('  the 
See,  Hir.  if 
le  <;curs«  I 
1  of  the  7t»i 
stioii,  from 
ttrBCt: 

iW  |!^oni;.  Bliil 
Bl'tlK'irtiToml 
en  tlioiisuiiii 
erritc;  V,  will 
ion  \vl  j.'ti   is 

I  shall  ri8C, 
estaoiisii'jd 
ig;rfi8s  <.oin- 
n  thousand, 
J.  Aniltii.si. 
1  tlie  part  of 

firotectutn. 
era  jn  itiat 
niuny  i<>i*y 
exfurution 

paiiMt  ti>id 

and  ai)  ii.s 
:ain  unii  tio 
eii<>ugii  to 
y  we  rmy 
And  '^ri- 
Can  tii'v 
I  turrv  till 
•y  wj;i  not 
will  not  6« 
ly  il'.o.irf-d 
f  ai  Jor.<^n«i 
hdil  Ixi  o  irs 
lair!  Am  i 
ara'iic  '^tn- 
]  liii.t  (ins 
it  w<K,'iii  U; 
,  and  <u'Un|; 
this  . should 
I  the  wurid. 
til  is  oiir<i" 
n  our  litvils 
I  to  ligii'  fot 
dy,  and  we 
:ting  ill  k-ad 

liiiH  notice  ia 
Tii&Hireal 

iiore  ftntiiy 

citii/.Oiifi  will 
late  I"  urite 

,  even  wait* 

our  KOfV*!"!!- 

enm  to  ttiut 


country.  It  would  be  utterly  impossible  for  the 
Hudson  Bay  Company  to  resist  or  check  this  tide  of 
western  emigration  if  thus  encoureged.  That  com- 
pany, with  all  the  hunters  and  trappers  it  could 
muster,  would  present  no  stronger  barrier  to  this 
tide  of  emigration,  than  would  a  mud  wall  to  the 
swelling  waters  of  the  broad  Potomac. 

Shall  it  be  said,  that  in  the  meantime  the  Hudson 
Bay  Company  will  be  exhausting  the  fur  trade,  and 
reaping  all  the  profits  to  be  derived  from  it?  Sir,  if 
we  claim  Oregon  only  for  the  sake  of  its  beaver 
skins,  it  occurs  to  me  that  we  have  been  shamefully 
negligent  heretofore.  For  the  fur  trade  is  diminish- 
ing  rapidly,  and  hitherto  Great  Britain  has  derived 
almost  exclusively  the  benefit  from  it.  But,  Hir,  we 
desire  Orrgon  fur  purposes  fur  more  important. 
Meanwhile,  as  the  fur  trade  diminishes,  as  the  buf- 
falo recedes,  and  the  beaver  is  hunted  out,  so  will  the 
servants  and  agents  of  the  Hudson  Bay  Company 
gradually  retire,  and  leave  us  in  possension  of  the 
territory.  Or  shall  this  policy,  which  1  have  had 
the  temerity  to  propose,  meet  with  the  objection 
urged  with  much  plausibility  and  force  by  another 
gentleman  from  Indiana,  [Mr.  Owen,]  namely — that 
our  emigration  would  not  extend  itself  north  of 
the  Columbia  river,  or  ntirlh  of  latitude  4J)°?  I  ad 
mit,  sir,  that  there  is  a  great  deal  of  plauaibility  and 
some  strength  in  that  objection;  for,  although  it  is 
fanciful  and  chimerical  to  suppose  (with  that  gen- 
tleman) that  the  Hudson  Bay  Company  can  affbrd 
to  buy  up  our  citizens  like  cattle  in  the  market,  at 
the  high  price  of  eight  hundred  dollars  per  head, 
yet  it  is  quite  probable  that,  under  the  existing 
state  of  things,  our  settlers  will  in  a  great  meas- 
ure confine  themselves  to  that  portion  of  the  terri- 
ty  south  of  49^.  But,  sir,  with  all  due  deference 
to  Ihe  gentleman  from  Indiana,  [Mr.  Owln,]  I  do 
not  care  if  they  do.  It  i.-*,  for  all  purposes  of  fu- 
ture action  aid  defence,  better  that  they  should 
They  will  be  more  concentrated,  and  consequently 
stronger.  There  i.s  land  enough,  heaven  knows; 
and  tor  many  yeiirs  to  come  there  will  be  no  crowd- 
ing. And  it  IS  certainly  more  desirable  that  our 
citizens  should  for  the  present  be  as  compact  and 
ronceniratcil  as  possible,  than  that  they  should  be 
scattered  over  the  whole  territory.  JJut,  sir,  we 
iire  triumphantly  asked  by  the  e;eiuleman  from 
Geora:ia  [Mr.  Cobb]  "what  shall  vvt- cain  by  delay 
— what  have  we  ever  gained  by  deluy:"  Sir,  we 
shall  gain  linie — Time,  to  us  more  precious  than 
gfeat  riches  f>r  many  jewels — Time,  the  tomb-build- 
er and  the  ovcrlurnei  ofihrones — Time,  wlio  strikes 
the  old  with  decreriitude  and  lends  vi£;or  and  strength 
lo  the  young.  Sir,  llieic  is  aiiotlitr  "uxionmiic"' 
fact  which  may  be  gathered  tVuni  recoitis  of  histo- 
ry— and  it  is  this:  thtu  nations,  like  individuals,  pass 
through  the  stages  of  infancy,  munhodd,  and  old 
Age;  we  see  them  springing  up  from  small  begin- 
nings— mere  germs  as  it  were — growing  up  by  de- 
grees, increasing  daily  and  hourly  in  strength  and 
power,  until  they  reach  the  very  summit  of  caithly 
greatness,  and  "'play  fantastic  tricks  before  high 
heaven.^'  Then,  with  old  age,  come  dissolution 
and  decay;  and  as  in  the  human  body  decrepitude 
and  disease  mark  the  ravages  of  tin  e,  so  in  ihu 
body  politic,  corruption  rears  her  louthsome 
form,  one  shock  after  another  smites  the  tottering 
fabric,  and  each  and  every  symptom  dciliues  how 
siirely  and  how  rapidly  she  is  uescendiiig  into  the 
tomb  of  ages. 

Thus  ix  it  with  oupselvei  and  our  haughty  rival. 
We  are  in  the  vigor  of  youth,  increasing  cvmy  year 


in  prosperity  and  power.  Great  Britain,  though  she 
may  not  have  reached  that  period  when  we  may 
look  for  her  speedy  toppling  downfall,  yet  she  haw 
evidently  parsed  her  prime.  She  smacks  of  age. 
Many  gray  hairs  are  discernible  upon  her  brow, 
and  some  symptoms  of  dotage  are  manifestly  per- 
ceptible; and  although  I  will  admit  that  old  Joku 
Bull  is  a  stout  old  bully,  yet,  nevertheless,  each  wave 
that  dashes  from  the  ocean  of  Time  saps  and  under- 
mines some  portion  of  his  wide  dominions,  whilst' 
its  every  heave  is  lifting  aloft  this  giant  republir  ot' 
the  western  world.  Let  me  not  b«  misunderstctotl. 
I  believe,  if  compelled  to  measure  our  strength  witli 
Great  Britain,  we  are  even  now  more  than  a  matrb 
for  her,  though  1  am  reminded  of  a  very  sensible 
remark  made  to  me  on  a  certain  occasion  by  one  of 
my  constituents,  a  man  of  gigantic  physical  powers^ 
and  remarkable  for  his  bravery,  as  well  as  for  his 
good  nature.  He  had  a  neighbor,  also  a  Herculea 
for  strength  and  prowess,  who  was  constantly  dis- 
turbing him  ifrith  petty  annoyances.  He  frequently 
complained  tn  me  of  this  neighborVs  conduct;  and  I 
said  to  him,  upon  one  occasion,  "Why  do  you  imt 
lick  him?  you  are  able  to  do  it."  "Yes,  sir,  (he  re- 
plied,) I  knmc  that  i  can  lick  him,  but  it  will  xtruiu 
tie  to  do  it;  and  1  don't  choose  to  undertake  it  until 
I  am  actually  compelled."  Now,  sir,  there  wa.s  wis- 
dom in  the  remark.  May  we  not  profit  by  it*  i ' 
know  that  we  can  lick  Great  Britain;  but  believe  mt 
it  would  "strain"  us  to  do  it;  and  we  had  oetter. 
postpone  it  uiuil  there  is  no  alternative,  and  thm  vr. 
will  do  it. 

Thus,  sir,  we  .shall  gain  time  by  postponing  thi.s 
matter;  and  every  hour, every  moment  thus  «"'««<! 
is  of  vital  importance  to  us.  And  in  reply  (o  the. 
question,  "What  hare  we  gained  by  delay?"  1  a»»- 
swer,  we  have  gained  this  at  least:  we  have  gaineit 
seven  or  ten  thousand  hardy  emigrants  in  the  dis- 
puted territory;  we  have  gained  the  advantage  of 
having  demonstrated  our  title  in  the  face  of  the 
world;  and  once  more,  i  repeat,  we  linve  gained 
time.  Will  any  man  pretend  to  say  ihiit  we  are  not 
better  prepared  now  to  defend  our  rights  in  Oregon, 
than  wc  were  under  the  administrations  of  Mr. 
Monroe,  or  Mr.  Adams,  or  Gen.  Jackson?  Suppom; 
we  had  suffered  onrstlves  at  that  time  loliave  been 
hurried  lioadlonij  into  a  contc.'^t about  this  matter,  does 
anyone  doubt  thut  we  woiiid  have  jeojuirdizeil.  if 
wo  had  nut  al).^olut(  ly  lost,  the  whole  of  the  territo- 
ry.- lias  this  lime,  then,  be^n  lor^i  ;o  u.s?  Have  we 
rested  on  onronrs  for  nothing?  No,  sir,  we  arr-  \>^i~ 
ler  prepared  now  than  we  were  then,  and  we  ss^wll 
be/ii//_y  pre[)nred  in  i>.  few  brief  years.  But  54*  lulo- 
men  aak  irlttn — when  will  we  tie  prepared  to  a;<s»Tl 
our  right.s?  1  answer,  we  are  ready  noic,  if  the  worst 
comes  to  the  worst.  We  are  ready  to  maintain 
thtni  by  arms  even  now,  if  we  shall  be  compelled  u* 
do  so.  But  of  this  there  is  .no  danger,  if  we  piir4<ur 
a  wise  and  piudent  policy.  And  we  shall  be  mfiu- 
itcly  betlrr  prepared  when,  at  the  expiratioii  «>t  a 
few  years,  we  .shall  have  twenty  or  thirty  thoi;.<antl 
liflcs  in  Oregon,  and  emigrants  sufHcient  to  culti- 
vate the  soil,  and  ra.l.-;o  corn  and  beef  to  rniuntaiii 
any  army  we  may  s.  nd  to  protect  them.  An  .ifiiiy 
which  should  be  sent  there  now,  would  have  i«> 
subsist  Ufion  "muh;  and  dog"— [see  FifmoncV  ex- 
pedition]— poor  food  lor  fighifng  men,  I  take  1..  sir; 
but  ill  a  few  years  we  shall  huve  citi^-ens  tiuie,  ide 
fruits  of  whose  labors  will  mnintaiti  any  anny  -Mut 
to  protect  them.  VVim;  we  will  be  ready,  sti ,  and 
then  wc  will  strike. 
^I'ut  again,  ii   v. .is  said  by  the  ger.tlcraaft  fdm-* 


■Georgia,  [Mr.  Cobb,]  thai  unless  I  li'^  notice  be  given 
immediately,  England  ar.d  the  world  will  be  induced 
to  believe  th;it  the  American  Congress  and  people  are 
disposed  not  to  sustain,  but  to  desert,  the  Executive 
and  thf  administration.  But  can  any  such  inference  [ 
be  fairly  drawn,  if  \vc  pursue  the  proper  policy  ? 
Suppope  we  adopt  every  step  proposed,  and  every 
measure  recommended  by  the  Executive,  barring 
only  this  solitary  one  of  immediate  notice;  suppose 
we  follow  the  recommendations  of  the  President  an 
to  the  establishment  of  a  Territorial  government,  the 
appointment  of  a  governor,  and  Indian  agents,  the 
erection  of  block-houses  and  forts  for  the  protection 
of  our  citizens,  the  overland  mail,  and  the  induce- 
ments to  emigration,  iic.:  will  any  man  go  forth  from 
this  hall  and  say  that  we  are  die- posed  to  desert  thi; 
administration?  Will  it  have  that  appearance  in  the 
eyes  of  the  world  ?  No,  sir;  it  is  ungenerous  and 
unjust  to  make  tliia  charge  against  us^;  and  whoever 
will  make  this  charge  uijainst  me,  will  do  mc  foul 
injustice  and  slander  me.  But  once  «gain:  it  is 
urged  that  the  honor  of  the  country  is  at  stake;  and 
if  the  notji-e  be  not  given,  it  will  suffer  in  the  estima- 
tion of  the  world.  Sir,  by  the-  course  of  policy 
which  I  have  proposed.  theAmencan  Eagle  shallnot 
moult  a  feather,  he  shall  not  droop  a  wing.  Amer- 
can  honor  shall  remain  as  pure  and  intact  as  before, 
and  the  American  name,  for  prudence,  moderation, 
and  wisdom,  shall  stand  even  higher  than  it  now 
does  among  the  nation.*  of  the  earth.  What,  sir. 
have  we  s^lumbered  thus  long,  through  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  upon  this  convention,  forgetful 
ut'  our  national  honor,  to  awake  thus  suddenly  and 
find  it  assailed  or  tarnished:'  What  has  Great 
Britain  so  recently  d-  n  thi.s  matter  to  impugn  our 
honor  r    We  havr  .stratcd   to   the  world  the 

validity  of  our  titlf^  we  now  oay  to  Great  Brit- 

ain, "Oregon  is  o..  .<,  ,.il  we  mean  in  timetopo.ssess 
ourselvep  of  every  inch  of  it."  Will  the  national 
honor  suRcr  by  this  course.^    I  think  not,  sir. 

But  now,  sir,  allow  me  to  call  the  attention  of  the 
•committee  to  the  otiier  side  of  this  question.  Ima- 
gine that  to  be  done  which  I  am  afraid  will  be  done 
shortly.  Imagine  this  notice  to  be  given.  Great 
Britain  to  l-.ave  received  it,  and  the  next  vessel  that 
leaves  her  island  to  bear  to  us  from  her  a  proposition 
to  this  ed'ect:  "We  l.&ve  failed  to  compromise  this 
matter;  yoi;  hnve  ordered  us  out  of  the  territory; 
wc  fed  lio  disposilio;'.  tti  fight  with  you;  we  do  not 
desire  war;  l^ivc  us  now  that  which  you  have  three 
.several  time?  olKered  us;  divide  the  territory  at  the 
49th  degree  of  north  latitude;  we  will  cheerfully 
take  the  r.orti.ern  portion,  leaving  you  the  southern; 
this  matter  shall  end,  and  we  will  sit  down  by  you 
as  friends,  and  sliakc  lur.ids  with  yoix  as  brothers." 
liTiiigine  surli  a  ]iroposition  as  th.it  coming  from 
Great  Britain  immediaicly  after  notice  given.  Is  the 
possibility  so  very  rcir.otc  that  gentlemen  cannot  give 
It  their  reHectioii  or  consideration."'  Every  advocate 
of  immediate  notice  persists  in  declaring  that  Great 
Britain  cannot  fight,  and  will  not  fight  for  Oregon. 
Then  if  she  cannot  and  will  not  fight,  I  say  the 
•chances  arc  tiMi  to  one  that  she  will  make  some  such 
olferas  I  liavc  mentioneii.  And  if  she  »hnil  do  this,  I 
respectfully  l.t'jr  of  the  next  gentleman  who  shall 
take  this  floor  on  (hat  side  of  the  question,  to  march 
up  manfully  and  atonco  to  the  question,  and  inform 
nic  whii'  oursc  the  country  and  the  administration 
should  nrsuc?  Should  the  administration  accept 
the  pr(  ."  iiiion,  nr  should  il  reject  it'  I  already  see 
L.'fniU'i'  .1  around  me — "immediate  notice"  men  too 
—  who  arc  nodding  assent,  and  by  significant  jestures 


intimating  that  .such  a  proposition  should  be  accept- 
ed 1  see  others,  warm  advocates  of  the  notice  also, 
shaking  their  heads,  and  by  indignant  frowns  an- 


swering "never!  never!" 

Sir,  the  thing  is  palpable;  Great  Britain  by  such  a 
proposition,  after  notice  given,  would  place  the  ad 
ministration  in  a  dilemma  from  which  it  would  have 
no  resource  but  in  selecting  the  blunter  or  the  soft- 
er liorn.  For  if  the  administration  should  accede 
to  tiie  proposition,  it  would  raise  such  a  storm  of 
oppostion  North,  South,  East,  and  West,  as  would 
shake,  if  not  entirely  overthrow  it.  The  clamor 
would  be  raised,  the  cry  would  go  forth,  "You  have 
sacriced  our  rights,  you  have  forfeited  our  interests, 
you  have  frittered  uwuy  the  better  portion  of  our 
glorious  territory,  you  have  acted  with  timidity, 
imbecility,  you  have  'backed  out,'  we  can  no  long- 
er support  you."  If,  on  the  contrary,  the  adminis- 
tration should  reject  such  a  proposition,  public 
dissatisfaction  would  be  even  more  violent  and 
more  to  be  dreaded.  For  it  would  be  said 
that  they  had  wantonly  plunged  us  into  a  war, 
when  they  mignt  have  avoided  it  by  compro- 
mise! Will  gentletnen  condescend  to  give  this 
view  of  the  question  their  consideration,  and  an- 
swer il  frankly  and  fairly,  if  they  can  .' 

Now,  take  the  other  view  of  this  subject.  Suppose 
Great  Britain,  after  having  received  our  notice,  shall 
make  us  no  proposition,  and  refuse  to  compromiser 
The  only  question  which  can  then  arise  is  this,  Will 
she,  at  the  expiration  of  the   twelve  months,  aban- 
!  don   what  she  considers  her  rights  in  Oregon,  or 
I  will  she  prepare  to   maintain  them  by  arms?    I 
I  think,  sir,   no  one  can  be  found  who  seriously  en- 
I  teriaina  the  opinion   that  she  will  quietly  pull  up 
her  stakes,  chain  her  lions  together,  and  remove  to 
j  Canada,  leaving  us  in   possession  of  the  territory 
i  for  which  she  has  been   contending  thirty  years. 
I  If  she  will  not  do  this,  she  must  fight;  and  if  she 
j  does  fight,  I  ask  gentlemen  what  will  be  the  conse- 
'quences  of  the  contest?    I  speak  now,  not  of  the 
consequences  to    the  North,  or  South,  or  East,  or 
West,  but  to  Oregon  itself,  and   I   call  upon  gentle- 
men to  inform  me  Ijy  what  possible  means,  in  case 
of  war,    that    territory  can  be  preserved    to  this 
Union  ?    Ye  gentlemen  of  the  West,   I  call  upon 
you  to  answer  me  this  question.     Bold  and  daring, 
patriotic,  and  generous,  and  fearless  as  you  are,  by 
what  means  shall  you  rescue  Oregon  in  ca.se  of  war? 
You  have  the  wills,  you  have  the  hearts,  you  have 
the  patriotism  more  than  sufficient,  but  trust  mc, 
gentlemen,  you  have  not  the  power.    You  cannot 
do  it — I  tell  you  cannot  do  it.    You  may  conquer 
Canada — you  may  whip  Great  Britain  on  land  and 
sea — you  may  astonish  the  world  by  the  success  of 
your  arms, — but  the  first  result  of  the  war  will  be 
the  loss  of  Oregon;  and   if  it   is  ever  recovered,  it 
will  only  be  after  the  fiercest  and  most  bloody  contest 
ever  recorded  in  your  country's  history.    You  must 
lose  Oregon,  because,  before  any  army  which  you 
can  possibly  send    to  protect  it,  the  steamers  of 
Great  Britain  will  already  have  arrived  there.    The 
Hudson  Bay  Company,  with   the  thousands  of  In- 
dian scalping  knives  at  its  command,  are  there  al- 
ready.   The  mouth  of  the  Colombia  and  the  whole 
Pacific  would   be  guarded  by  British  vessels,  from 
whence  supplies  could  easily  be  furnished  to  British 
armies  in  the  territory.     Whilst  our  army,  even  if 
it  should    arrive    in  time,  would  find  no  possible 
menus  of  flubsistence^  and  must  either  speedily  ro« 
turn  or  perish.     And  having  once  gotten  possession 
of  the  territory,  you  would  find  that  years  of  dcs- 


pcrate  fichtine  would  not  expel  Great  Britain  from 
It,  though  a  few  yeara  or  peace  will  inevitably  do  it. 
But  again,  air,- we  haveaome  aeven  ihouaand  citi- 
zens— men,  women,  and  children — now  in  that  terri- 
tory; and  while,  with  one  breath,  gentlemen  are 
calling  upon  iia  to  come  to  their  rescue,  to  guard 
and  protectourbraTC  emigrants  in  Oregon,  they, 
with  the  very  next,  are  «dvocating  a  measure 
which,  next  month,  perhaps,  will  unsheath  the 
knife  which  is  to  shed  Uieir  blood ! 

Sir,  while  the  eloquent  gentleman  from  Indiana 
[Mr.  Kennkdy]  was  speaking,  and  convulsing  the 
committee  with  his  wit  and  humor,  I  could  not 
help  thinking  how  discordantly  those  sounds  of 
merriment  would  fall  upon  the  ears  of  our  citizens 
in  Oregon,  if  it  wore  possible  they  should  ^reoch 
them.  \ 

Sir,  I  appeal  to  that  gentleman  now,  I  appera  to 
him  in  behalf  of  the  women  and  children  now  in 
Oregon — in  behalfof  those  companions  of  his  boy- 
hood, of    whom  he  spoke — those  connexions  of 
kindred  blood,  reared  at   the    same    hearth,   and 
taught  in  the  same  school-house  with  himself    For 
them  I  appeal  to  him,  and  ask  him   how  he  can  ex- 
pose them,  thus  cut  off  as  they  are  from  the  protec- 
tion of  their  country,  to  such  cruel  dangers?    Sir,  I 
say  to  that  gentleman,  in    Uie  words   of  one  of 
Americans  most  distinguished  statesman,  "the  voice 
of  humanity  issues  from  the  shades  of  the  wilder- 
ness; it  exclaims  that,  while  one  hand  is  lifted  up  to 
dissolve  this  convention,  the  other  grasps  the  toma- 
hawk.   It  summons  our  imaginations  to  scenes  that 
will  open.    It  is  no  great  effort  of  the  imagination 
to  conceive  that  e\  nts,  so  near,  havealready  begun. 
I  can  fancy  that  I  listen  to  the  yells  of  savage  ven- 
geance, and  to  the  shrieks  of  torture  !    Already 
they  seem  to  sigh  on  the  western  wind;  already  they 
mingle  with  every  echo  from  the  mountains."    Sir, 
js  all  this  idle  declamation?    Is  there  no  reality  in 
tlie  picture?    Are  not  our  brave  emigrants  there 
wholly  without  defence,  without  protection?    They 
are  there  with  their  wives  and  their  little  ones,  culii- 
vating  the  soil  in  peace,  causing  the  wilderness  to 
bloomas  a  garden.     But  if  war  shall  be  declared, 
long  betoreany  protection  can  reach  them  from  us, 
their  blackened  dwellings  will  stand  as  Binoulderinp 
monuments    of  our  neglect,  while  their  scanered 
bones  will  whiten  the  prairies.    They  will  either 
be    taken    prisoners,  and  forcibly  converipd  info 
British  subjects,  or  else  they  will  be  given  over  to 
the  tomahawk  and  scalping-knife.      I   know  they 
have  strong  arms,  and  stout  and  ftarltos  henrtR;  but 
they  cannot  cope,  unaided,  with  the  military  power 
of  Qreat  Britain  and  her  savage  allies.    And  when 
they  cry  to  us  for  help,  is  it  by  such  palicy  as  thi? 
that  gentlemen  are  prepared  to  help  them. 

And  now,  sir,  I  would  respectfully  aek  my  west- 
ern friends  to  place  a  little  more  confidence  in  the 
pledges  of  their  southern  brethren.  It  is  not  right 
nor  generous  in  them  to  accuse  the  South  of  the 
selfish  disposition  to  avoid  this  contest  on  her  own 
account,  and  in  consideration  of  her  own  interest^! 
only.  We  pledge  them  southern  integrity  and 
southern  honor  that  we  will  stand  by  them  in  the 
hour  of  need.  We  differ  with  them  as  to  the  poli- 
cy proper  to  be  pursued;  we  do  not  think  the  time 
has  arnted  for  terminating  the  present  coiivention. 
But  if  gentlemen  will  do  it— if  they  choose  to  as- 
sume the  responsibility — then,  when  tlie  dfcd  if 
done — when  the  die  in  cast — when  the  Rulii«on  is 
aroMad— turn  your  ayes  to  the  South,  and  if  you 
Ind  on«  rvartant  boioai  there,  call  me  mo  prophet 


Meanwhile,  all  that  I  ask  of  the  gentleman  from  In- 
diana, {Mr.  Kkmxdt,)  who  declared  that,  in  the  «<:- 
tion  upon  the  Texas  questiun,  "the  West  went  il 
Mt'iur*— all  that  I  aak  of  him  it  that  he  will  not**gt^ 
it  hlind^*  upon  Oref  on.    Let  gentlemen  study  well 
the  steps  they  are  about  to  take,  and  when  they  are 
taken  the  South  will  not  flinch.    We  will  lend  our 
best  exertions,  and  pour  out  our  licst  blood,  to 
snatch  Oregon  from  the  grasp  of  the  foe.     But  it  in 
not  kind  or  generous  to  taunt  us  now.    The  South 
dreads  not  tnis  contest  on  her  own  account  more 
than  other  portions  of  this  Union,  and  possibly  not 
half  so  much  ae  some.    And  it  is  a  foul  asperaion 
upon  her  character  to  soy  that  she  trembles  because 
she  is  "weak  and  helpless,  defenceless  and  slave- 
holding.**    And  I  will  say  to  the  person  [Mr.  Qiih 
DINGS,  of  Ohio]  who  threw  out  the  base  suggestion, 
that  the  South  is  able  to  defend  her  rights,  not  only 
on  her  own  aunny  plains,  against  the  bloody  efforts 
of  reckless  incendiaries,  but  on  this  floor  and  else- 
where,   against    the    federal    encroachments    of 
him   and    his   partv    upon    the    constitution    of 
the   country.     Anu    I  say  to    him  further,  that 
there  are  bondsmen    in    the  South — negro    slave* 
there,   who  have  ever  been  more  true  and  more 
faithful  to  their  masters — to  the  hands  which  feed 
and  cherish  them — than  he  has  evr.r  been  to  hiii 
country  or  its  constitution.    And  should  he,  and  his 
cherished  allies  and  friends,  the  "black  regiments 
from  the  West  Indies,"  attempt  an  invasion   of 
southern   soil,  there  are  negro  slaves    there  who 
would  meet  him  at  the  thresholds  of  their  masters* 
dwellings,   and  scourge    him   home!    (Here  Mr. 
Bbdimcbr  was  called  to  order  by  the  chair  on  the 
ground  of  personality.) 

A  great  deal  has  been  said  in  this  House  against 
)he  character  of  Great  Britain,  and  gentlemen  have 
seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  the  use  of  oppro- 
brious epithets  against  her.  I  do  not  desire  to  be 
behind-hand,  even  in  this  matter,  sir,  and  1  have 
therefore  selected  from  a  very  humorous  letter-wri- 
ter to  the  New  York  Herald,  certain  expressions 
admirably  suited  to  the  occasion.  That  writer  d«> 
clares  that  Great  Britain  is  a  "damned,  incorrigible, 
insatiable,  unappeasable,  insatisfiable,  unrelenting,  . 
never-yielding,  always-grasping,  never-receding, 
always-encroaching,  unconscionable  bloody  pirateT** 
Not  having  skill  sufficient  to  find  wortls  o>  my  own 
wherewith  to  express  my  indignation  against  Great 
Britain,  I  have  been  compelled  to  borrow  them;  and 
if  any  gentlemen  can  find  stronger,  or  more  appro- 
priate, 1  should  like  to  hear  them.  But,  sir,  what 
haa  this  to  do  with  the  question?  And  why  do  gen- 
tlemen waste  their  time  and  their  energies  in  surh 
idle  vituperation?  Sir,  when  the  strong  man  girds 
his  loins  and  nerves  his  arm  for  some  death  grapple 
with  a  foe  worthy  of  his  efforts,  if  he  be  wise  he  ia 
generally  chary  of  his  breath,  and  Wastes  not  his 
wind  in  idle  invectives,  which  he  knows  will  fhli 
unheeded  on  the  ears  of  his  adversary.  Will  the 
ruilins;  r :  '"^st  Great  Britain  spike  one  of  her  gunK, 
or  burst  u.j  boilers  of  one  of  her  steamshipa'  I 
fear  not. 

Much  also  has  been  spoken  here  in  praise  of  the 
American  eagle;  and  that  bird  has  been  compelled,  of 
late,  to  take  a  vast  deal  of  unnecessary  exercise, 
"pluming  his  win^  and  soaring  aloft,*'  and  "soar- 
ing aloft  and  pluming  his  wings." 

Sir,  I  happen  to  know  something  of  the  r  «  of 
that  great  monarch  of  the  feathered  tribe,  'i  itose 
wiio,  like  myself,  have  stood  amid  the  sublime 
noonery  at  Harper's  Perry,  and  watched  him  there 


8 


'  IN  iiU-favoiice  haunu,  now  perched  in  solitary  gran- 
deur on  aome  tall  peak  or  towering  crag — now 
wheeling,  into  (he  heavens  wiib  iiis  eye  upon  the 
a«Ui— those  *ho  have  delighted  ta  watch  him  thus, 
know  something  of  hij  nature  and  his  habita.  They 
know  that  hn4t»  never  rash,  that "^e  makes  no  unne* 
<eatuary  r.oiBC,i)r  idle  flutterin;*;.that  he  never  striken 
«mtil  he  is  reatly,  and  when  he  doea  strike,  it  is  with 
the  rapidity  and>dcudly  certainty  of  heaven's  light- 
ning! 1  witnessed  there,  upon,  one  occasion,  sir,  a 
Mcefiic  uhich  I  wish  I  had  the  skill  or  ability  to  de- 
pict to  this  committee,  for  it  was  very  beautiful. 
There  was  a  black,  lowering,,  and  portentous  cloud 
in  ilic  west,  charged  with   ihuuder;  over  its  dark 

'  bosom  tl.c  red  lightning  gleamed.  and..danced,  and 
tha  voice  of  the  thunder  came  forth  in  tones  which 
ijbook  the  hilla.     An  eagle  came  swooping  on  from 

'  the  cast,  directly  in  the  face  of  the  cloud  itself.  On- 
ward he  came  with  the  rapidity,  of  un  arrow,  seem- 
ingly resolved  to  penetrate  the  dark  barriee,  and 
make  his'  onward  way  in  spite  pf  all.  resiatance. 
Now  be  plunged  into  the  dark,  .bosom,  of  the  cloud, 


as  if  determined  to  sipatch  the  lightping*  of  heaven. 
Anon  b«  wheeled  aloft  ak  if  resolved  to  scale  its 
summit;  jind  his  shriek  came  forth' in  fferce  defiance 
of  the  angry,  thunder.  But,  8ud((enly;,  he  made  one 
majestic  swoop — not.(>ackwaird,sir,  ng  retreat  in  his 
nature — but  directly  along  the  very  verge  of  the  cloii'd, 
skirting  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  perchecfhimself  upon 
one  of  its  loftiest  peaks.  He'paused  one  momeiit, 
with  bowed  wing^ap^glahciiig  eyes— the  cloud  blew 
over  without  even  the  smallest,  pattering  of  rain,  tfie 
sun  came  out  again  from  the  cloudless  heaven,  the 
eagle  sprang  from  his  perch,  arid  pursued  his  course 
far  in  tne  dim  regions  of  the  trackless  West ! 

So,  sir,  might  it  be  with  us,  if  we  could  but  cui'b 
our  impetuosity  and  imprudence,  if  -we  could  but 
pause  and- ponder,  and  wrait,  for  a  brief  period;  the 
dark  cloud  now  lowering  upon  our  political  horizon 
would  pass  away,  without  difficulty  ar.  danger,  and 
the  "American  eagle"  wouM  take'ita  onward  flight, 
unresiiited  and  unoppoMidi'  to  th«  >ich  regions  of 
Oregon.  •..=  ...•  , 

,  .    .  .   •      .!..t  .'  •        . 


* : 


./.i. 


•-^'il  >^* 


.•-'. 


'  -J.    ..       '.      ;  „  '    .  i.<..  1  ,•■   .. 


♦,».il 


•^. 


fl^^  *j! 


■Ml   Jo 


■i\,^'k^'i.  .iV*  ••■»;<• 


'  ■•iV 


'  .  • ....    I 

•     >      •  •         "•■  .       ftloc » 
•  ■  •  ■       ■>:■'.:  "fi'-.'*-  •>*•"/    »    ; 
■'i,<^-,i  .i<  Jv»<'  in'  ■  •«.    ■   .. 
-.\;\y.-.    •    ■.  ,    '1       ■ 
.»        ...  ;    •>■•'.  '/!,V  >..   r     .<■'... 

..•  ^,»     •*  '\  ■  •.    .  1. ■  'i»f.:>/.u. 

•.•.•...■■   .     .  .    ir(tr;>.i 

■  •   '      ;  .■■4(r»..   », ,     .'■••HrtJ     wl 

■  •  hi'.n  ^'ii.i!.'.»Tiut)'  •♦» 

:  .TMf     .'i'l'l'  t.'.-lt  .:ii,    •«/..     , 
'•••    .'(."ri      ■.»■' :-      MJvY" 
.t      ..|.'*  .V.     r    .  .     *•  I.' 
■  ■.  .  ■•    ■  •:'  ',»;♦  .■  . 

.     .•  •  •■..»!'.■   ,,    ;■•,<.!  ."  ,' '  > 

;,•  i-'i'i'in',-''!  i*ivr>iiJ 

■■*■ .  '•     ■(<)<•. '.•!. 

...    ^.,j..i.   w';.        Ml'-'  ■ 
■  ■     <  'i  •.'  .  t/'-.rinnM!'.'* 

.    •       ■■         ■  '.■'      >'■!•>        I,i.yf:>  ■  -'  1'  ^>  ! 

■!■,.-  ••-,h  M'."!''!  '  i,^>        .  •>■.' 

»o       .yV..!"!"  •■..^*  .1 -'      •K". 

■  '  '     0'  r»*  •  ■"  r  '  I'        '•  '■.'  •■  ■> 


of  heaven. 
to  scale  its 
rce  defiance 
e  made  one 
etrcHt  in  his 
>flhectond, 
mself  upon 
ie  momeiit, 
!  cloud  blew 
of  rain,  the 
heaven,  the 
i  h*o  course 
rest! 

lid  but  cul'b 
e  could  but 
period;  the 
icat  horizon 
danger,  nnd 
(ward  flight, 
I  regions  of 


■VIA  ■'  .T 


i  4..- 

|Jt;jJ  .        •     I 

0  ftH*^'.'  <r-.,» 

-tt  Kit  f*'    ■••    ' 
pti'.i,"'.'  .'    > 

,t(v»i"    -.•'»•■ 


1-    .  ■      •>'».' 
'■■'    ;»;♦    ' 

'■    ■•  .    ■ 


tiV;.i;<''      -^ 

ft■ff«^   •     ■ 

^;  '       'i  r-r  .     I 


